Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!204!Ann.Parsons From: Ann.Parsons@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Parsons) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Re: Independence Message-ID: <12187@bunker.UUCP> Date: 4 Jun 90 19:09:28 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Ann.Parsons@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/204 - Flower City Central, Chili NY Lines: 112 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 8616 Hi Carlos, >" That's something I've been thinking about a lot. The only >"problem I've had during my university experience, which is >"relevant to my future work experience, is that of getting books >"off shelves. I figure thasty whomever helps me at home will have >"to go to work with me and help out in this and a few other regards >"(like emptying the leg bag, etc.) You mean you want your attendant to go with you to school? Hmmmmm. I dunnow. The problem you mention above need not occur at school? I don't think they need to be emptied that often do they? >" Another thing that also worries me is how my disability might >"affect my chances of being hired and receiving promotions. That >"is why I am going to Georgetown. I figure that if I graduate from >"there SOMEBODY must be willing to give me a job. You know, that >"name says a lot and I'm sure I'm gonna need all the help I can get. Good thought, but make as many contacts as you caN while you're there. The more people you know, the easier it's going to be to get a job. AP>> Sounds good. Explore avenues with your OVR counselor as to what they'll >" >" What is an OVR counselor? Oh, Lord, where have you been! An OVR counselor stands for Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. What do they call themselves where you live? tHEY'RE THE ONES FROM THE sTATE WHO CAN GIVE YOU FUNDING FOR COLLEGE, EQUIPMENT, ETC. They'd be your first source for information on who's gone to Georgetown and what kinds of problems they encountered. Check the Placement Office. Tell them you are interested in talking to other folks who have gone there before you and who were disabled. There may be an office for the disabled on campus. Find out. Talk to them. You may not need to pay an attendant at all during school hours. Sometimes there are students on work study programs. These students work, e.g. helping you get books, etc, and they earn money which goes toward their schooling. If The Dean's office said it was accessible, (((DOUBT IT!!!!!))) tHEY MAY NOT KNOW WHAT "ACCESSIBLE" MEANS. They may look at a building and only consider the classrooms. What about the kbathrooms? What about the elevators? Are they the old kind with the gates that you couldn't turn a motorized wheelchair around in? oN THE OTHER HAND, IF YOUR MOTHER'S FRIEND WHO'S IN A WHEELCHAIR SAYS THE PLACE IS ACCESSIBLE, THAT'S ANOTHER STORY, AS IS ANY INFO YOU'D GET FROM THE oFFICE FOR THE dISABLED ON CAMPUS. AP>> for, etc. Call some of the agencies down in D.C. and see what kind of AP>> Attendant Care other students are using. I know, it's a pain to have AP>> attendants, but as you say, if you want to be independent,... >" >" I would but I don't know where to call. I have to write to >"the Off-Campus Housing Office for info on housing, as the >"on-campus housing is limited and I can't live there with >"attendants as the rooms have to be shared. wELL, START WITH dEPARTMENT OF sOCIAL sERVICES DOWN IN d.c. tHEN CHECK PHONE BOOK. yOUR LOCAL LIBRARY SHOULD HAVE THE d.c. PHONE BOOK. cHECK TO SEE IF d.c. HAS A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING. tHEY'D BE AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF INFO, IF THEY'RE ON THE BALL. cHECK WITH YOUR dISABILITY gROUPDOWN THERE, E.G. SPINAL iNJURY ORGANIZATION, SPINABIFIDA, MD, MS, OR WHATEVER YOUR DISABILITY IS. aS FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING, hMMMMM, YOUR REASONS FOR WANTING IT ARE VALID, BUT iF i REMEMBER RIGHTLY, gEORGETOWN ISN'T LOCATED IN THE BEST OF AREAS. yOU MAY WANT TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES OF GETTING A SINGLE ROOM ON CAMPUS BEFORE YOU TRY OFF. Some of the newer dormatories have accomodations in suite form, That is, a suite of rooms, say a couple of doubles and a couple of singles which are off a central livingroom. You could have an attendant in that kind of situation. It's been a while since I lived in a dorm, but with the laxness of morals and the increased feeling or non-privacy, your having an attendant, even in a male suite shouldn't be a problem. If you get one of the singles, you just close the door. wHEN YOU TRY OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING, BE SURE IT'S ACCESSIBLE! bE SURE IT'S ON A LIGHTED STREET! bE SURE IT'S NEAR BUS LINE OR WHITHIN ROLLING DISTANCE OF CAMPUS. wHAT ABOUT TRANSPORTATION? dO YOU DRIVE? >" My biggest fear with attendants is having one that one night >"will rape me and that he'll have AIDS. I know it sounds paranoic >"but if I'm going to get AIDS I want to ast least enjoy the moment. >" That's why I want all my attendants to be women. yOU DEVIL! bUT YOU'VE GOT A VALID POINT THERE, THOUGH i DO THINK YOU ARE OVER EXAGGERATING IT. iT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN TO YOU, BUT NOT PROBABLE. I may be over simplifying this part, I am not conversant with this issue. How about it frank, Zack? >"My other fear >"is that they'll take everything I got and leave mer in bed, only >"to be found a week later dead of dehydration, frozen or something >"like that! wHEN YOU LOOK FOR HOUSING, LOOK FOR A ROOM IN A BUILDING WITH OTHER STUDENTS. gO SOMEPLACE WHERE THERE'LL BE LOTS OF PEOPLE AROUND ALL THE TIME. CHOOSE GROUPY PLACES. cHOOSE OLD BUILDINGS WITH THIN WALLS! On the issue of interdependence, yOU NEED TO REALIZE THAT YOU CAN HELP OTHERS AT SCHOOL TOO. iF YOU NEED HELP GETTING BOOKS OFF SHELVES, MAYBE THE PERSON WHO HELPS YOU DO THAT NEEDS HELP IN A SUBJECT YOU'RE GOOD AT. iT ALL COMES OUT IN THE WASH, AS THEY SAY. >"Thanks for your answers, they did provide helpful info. >" >" ~~CarloS~~ wELL, IF i'VE BEEN HELPFUL THAT'S GOOD. i JUST WANT YOU TO HAVE THE BEST grad school EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE! tAKE CARE, SEE YOU ON-LINE. aNN p. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!204!Ann.Parsons Internet: Ann.Parsons@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org